Peter M. Rich
June 6, 1922 ~ December 14, 2016
Peter Michael Rich was born June 6, 1922 in Washington, DC. He passed December 14, 2016 in Ashburn, VA, a suburb of DC--a true Washingtonian. He was 94 years old and vividly recalled horses pulling streetcars along cobblestone roads in DC, hanging lanterns on the fenders of the first automobiles, and the delivery of milk, bread, coal, and ice to his home on Massachusetts Avenue NW.
His mother and father, Lillian and Peter Rich were firstgeneration Americans born in Bristol, PA. His father served in WWI for 18 months. Upon returning home from the service, they wed and moved to DC where they raised their 4 sons and one daughterAnthony, Peter, Donald, Paul and Pauline. All 4 brothers served in the US military.
As a teenager Pete learned from his PA relatives his father had changed his name from Ricardi to Rich in order to be come a full-fledged American. He also learned from his northern Ricardi relatives two of the true pleasures of lifespaghetti and tomato pie (pizza)!
The saxophone and love of music were central to Pete's life, leading him to join the high school band, the Washington Redskins Band, the Georgetown University Band and ultimately the National Guard Band. Joining the National Guard Band led to 4 years, nine months and 26 days in the United States Army. His tour of duty included 4 campaigns in the European Theatre of Operations that included Invasions of Normandy, Northern France (the Liberation of Paris), the Rhineland, and the Ardennes.
Pete was selected into the Army Specialized Training Program attending the University of Idaho and Oregon State College (engineering). After leaving the service, he graduated from George Washington University's School of Economics. While attending GW he met Mary Beck at the monthly meetings of the Catholic clubthe Newman Club. They dated for 4 years and married September 15, 1952 when Pete was 30 years old. After 56 years of marriage, Mary died in 2008.
Their twins, Stephen and Craig were born in 1954. Kenneth was born in 1959. Stephen and Ginger live in TN. Craig and Maureen Rich of MD, have 3 sons, Lawrence, Mark and Sean. Kenneth and Laura Rich of VA have 3 daughters, Molly, Rebecca, and Liza. Grandson Lawrence and wife Pleasant have 2 daughters, Ava and Eden.
Pete was a 42-year employee of C&P Telephone Companies, which later became The Bell Atlantic Telephone Company, known today as Verizon. In 1983 after retiring from AT&T, Pete joined Cellular Mobile Radio System, traveling the world as a pioneer promoting cellular telephone. He retired in 1988 as President of Communications Corporation International. Pete's retirement years were spent in the DC area with family, friends, golf and travels.
Funeral mass will be held at noon Monday, December 19 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. Visitation at 11:15 am at the church. Burial to follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. In lieu of flowers the family requests contribution to your favorite charity in memory of Peter Michael Rich.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
His mother and father, Lillian and Peter Rich were firstgeneration Americans born in Bristol, PA. His father served in WWI for 18 months. Upon returning home from the service, they wed and moved to DC where they raised their 4 sons and one daughterAnthony, Peter, Donald, Paul and Pauline. All 4 brothers served in the US military.
As a teenager Pete learned from his PA relatives his father had changed his name from Ricardi to Rich in order to be come a full-fledged American. He also learned from his northern Ricardi relatives two of the true pleasures of lifespaghetti and tomato pie (pizza)!
The saxophone and love of music were central to Pete's life, leading him to join the high school band, the Washington Redskins Band, the Georgetown University Band and ultimately the National Guard Band. Joining the National Guard Band led to 4 years, nine months and 26 days in the United States Army. His tour of duty included 4 campaigns in the European Theatre of Operations that included Invasions of Normandy, Northern France (the Liberation of Paris), the Rhineland, and the Ardennes.
Pete was selected into the Army Specialized Training Program attending the University of Idaho and Oregon State College (engineering). After leaving the service, he graduated from George Washington University's School of Economics. While attending GW he met Mary Beck at the monthly meetings of the Catholic clubthe Newman Club. They dated for 4 years and married September 15, 1952 when Pete was 30 years old. After 56 years of marriage, Mary died in 2008.
Their twins, Stephen and Craig were born in 1954. Kenneth was born in 1959. Stephen and Ginger live in TN. Craig and Maureen Rich of MD, have 3 sons, Lawrence, Mark and Sean. Kenneth and Laura Rich of VA have 3 daughters, Molly, Rebecca, and Liza. Grandson Lawrence and wife Pleasant have 2 daughters, Ava and Eden.
Pete was a 42-year employee of C&P Telephone Companies, which later became The Bell Atlantic Telephone Company, known today as Verizon. In 1983 after retiring from AT&T, Pete joined Cellular Mobile Radio System, traveling the world as a pioneer promoting cellular telephone. He retired in 1988 as President of Communications Corporation International. Pete's retirement years were spent in the DC area with family, friends, golf and travels.
Funeral mass will be held at noon Monday, December 19 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. Visitation at 11:15 am at the church. Burial to follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. In lieu of flowers the family requests contribution to your favorite charity in memory of Peter Michael Rich.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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The world has lost wonderful man and exemplar of The Greatest Generation. Pete, you had a full life and lived it on your terms and always as a gentleman. I have fond memories of you on the golf course and at the Chick fil a Bowl. My condolences go out to to the extended family, who I consider friends for life.